Hey Synatra, can't believe it's been 5 years already. Wish you could of met my son Raphael. Knowing you loved the TMNT. He sees the picture of you I have hanged up and I'll have to tell him the story one day. Picture that Wayne put at city heights park, and I took it home. Love you brother, hope all your family is okay and all the boys who get these notifications yearly as well. I'll be back on your birthday. Cheers brotha. -Cowboy

I can't believe  today marks 5 years since you R.elocated I.nto P.aradise. It doesn't even seem like it to me. Please take comfort in knowing that R.emembering I.s P.riority for a lot of us that you crossed paths with and left a positive impact on. God bless, one love !, to you and yours !, ALWAYS !!!!

This display was made and left in honor of Synath on July 2nd, 2022. I did not know how to upload pictures to this memorial page at that time but I wanted to share this with everyone now that I understand how to do it. God bless, one love !

I wasn't sure how to upload pictures to this memorial page back in July however I did leave a laminated copy of this picture at the City Heights YMCA skate park on July 2, 2023. R.ejoice I.n P.aradise Synath and please take comfort in knowing that you are  REMEMBERED and will NEVER be FORGOTTEN !

I'm really at a loss for words right now Synath . I have yet to breakdown and cry . I have felt numb since hearing about your passing . I know sooner or later it's going to hit me . It's most likely going to hit me at your service or soon after ? I guess I'm still in shock ? In the days after learning of your passing I decided to go on a solo mission to get the word out of your passing . If I could I WOULD TELL THE ENTIRE WORLD that they have lost a GOOD HUMAN BEING and that the world is a sadder place without you . Since I wasn't able to tell the world I did the next best thing which was  to tell the skate community . I know you have skated so many parks and places throughout your life so I felt your spirit was guiding me to do what I did starting on Sat 08/24/2019 and finishing up on Tue 08/27/2019 . Since I'm OLDSCHOOL and don't get on social media I decided to print out this memorial page and used good old fashioned duct tape to post it around at various places . IT'S THE VERY LEAST I COULD DO FOR YOU MY BROTHER ! Here's the skate parks/spots I went to : Rancho Penasquitos , Linda Vista , O.B. , Washington Street , Chicano Park , Memorial , City Heights ( small park & bigger park ), Kimball , Poods , and the DIY bridge spot ( Balboa Park ) and Dewey Elementary and City Heights park near Rosa Parks Elementary . I also went to these shops : Slappy's Garage ( downtown & L.V. ) , Pacific Drive , Culture Brewing ( bar ) , Arts & Rec , Route 44 , The Avenue (Southeast S.D.) , Overload and Mike McGill's . I also went to Jorge Robles house and I also told my upstairs neighbor who grew up with you. His name is Sam . He grew up with you in City Heights and breakdanced  with you at Hollywood Park . You always showed support for  others whether it was going to various skate events  such as "Shred For Shockus " or various video premiers . It's time others come out on Friday and show love and support for  you now ! You deserve ALL THE LOVE AND RESPECT YOU CAN GET !!!!!!!!!!!!

So many memories my friend. Im tearing up writing this. It all started from skateboarding. Our unique set of friends that had the same amount of passion and love for skateboarding n music. We would feed off eachother while filming tricks. We would conversate while watching sk8 edits about the industry,talk shit n kill time. Syn was like a big brother to me n he only wanted me to keep my mind rite. He always had a open ear to whatever was going on. He would always give me advice. The last time i seen Syn i gave him a couple pictures that i took 10 plus years ago while him n I bbqd. I apologized to him about some past events that took place while i was living as his neighbor. His assured me everything was good between us. He then told me about his recent fall at the sk8park where he hit his head and was blind inn his left eye. I told him to go get medical attention but he denied it saying he had no medical insurance. It ultimately cost him his life by not going. I am sad to hear syn passed away n i will keep you with me forever. I want to thank you for being you.  Everyone has been showing a lot of love for you and your name will live on. You are a sk8 legend #SYNATHCHEAM #LEGEND 

Man, it's been a rough week. A roller coaster of mixed emotions.. Your my big brother and l've looked up to you since I was a kid. Listening to hip-hop music, watching you try to break dance, having you sketched out graffiti art on my school book covers and binder to watching skate videos with you! Growing up you became more chill and didn't give a damn about many things, just love to SKATE and also enjoying uncle time with the twins every min. you had the chance to hang. The girls, Nick and I loves you and misses you dearly! Ride to paradise big brother! 

Synath, you’re my brother in this life & the after life!!! I love you Nip, not gonna name off all the memories since we were kids, but I’ll never forget the times brother,  miss you till the end!!!

Synath, 

It’s been one week since we got the news. Hardest week of our lives. You were my brother-in law but I loved you like you were my blood brother. You we’re one of kind man, lived by your own rules, always happy and care free. So pure. 

I’ll always remember what an amazing uncle you were to the twins. They loved hanging out with you, playing Super Nintendo at your house, where you taught them how to box and made them watch old school cartoons. 

How you were the first one to arrive and the last to leave family functions and holidays. Christmas won’t be the same without you. Eating Pho, drinking IPA’s, playing with your nieces and their new toys all night.

We shared a love for hip hop. Your influence on your sister was probably a big factor in why we fell for each other. She was the only girl I had ever met that was REALLY into Hip Hop and actually knew all of the obscure music I liked. She definitely got that from you.

You literally devoted your life to skating and skate culture and we are at piece knowing that you died as a result of something you absolutely loved. Even more you left a mark on this world and are considered a legend in the local skate community. Seeing all of your friends talk about how talented you were and posting footage of you has been the most comforting thing during this difficult time. We are so proud of you bro. Wish I would have told you while you were still with us.

You loved Cambodian people and your Khmer heritage so much. You had always planned on going back to the motherland someday. After we say our goodbyes next week your mom will make plans to take you back to Cambodia so that you may rest eternally with the ancestors.

I love you brother.

-Nick



Met you down the block from my house, skating at Rosa parks near the playground. Never thought we would get this close man. I'm typing this as if you can read it, but I know you already know how I'm feeling along with everyone else. From working together with Chuck, watching skate vids at your house, hanging out with wings, and really just hanging out because we were alike in many ways. I was always amazed at your skateboarding. You always pulled through. That one time in national city with the crew was historical. Switch heel/kickflip went down.  Just got news the footage is getting gathered up right now.  I had promised to borrow your camera so I could film a street part finally. With your mother's permission I still plan on doing that and hopefully she sees how much it would mean to me and let's me just borrow it for a month or two. We all miss you man. I owe you a skate session. I'm gonna miss your Khmer music you showed me and ended up liking a bunch. City Heights loves you so much Synath. I remember calling you Synatra cause you were and artist with your skating. I'll always keep you in my heart and soul when I'm out there skating. You always bugged me to learn switch and I've been trying haha. Still suck at it. I'll be at your ceremony my friend. We got along so well, not much can replace that. You were a mentor of mine in a way. But also a great friend. Much love Synatra, watch over me when I skate..

Nip, asi es como yo te conocia por muchos años.... Asta que un día Julián me dijo que sólo ellos te llamaban así, yo siempre pensé que ese era tu nombre porqué así te llamaban todos en mi casa.
Pero un día te pedí disculpas 😁
Recuerdo mirarte en casa de mi mamá, cuando ibas con Julián y Marco, también a Robert, Charles, Jef.
Ahora ya estás con mi bro,Marco-polo.
Ban a poder seguir patinando como lo hacían antes y maybe asta una cervecita pueden hechar.
Gracias por tus típs que le llegaste a dar a Danny de cómo patinar. 
Recuerdo que aunque hiciera mucho calor ahí estabas en el mini skatepark  y de la cruz.
Siempre te boy a recordar con tu sonrisa. Descansa en paz. Nip.

OBITUARY

Synath Cheam

2 July, 1979 – 17 August, 2019

Cypress View Mausoleum, Mortuary and Crematory

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services